West Midlands Mayor Leads Strategic UK Delegation to Translate Sporting Ambition into Long-Term Economic Partnerships
AHMEDABAD, India, Feb. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Following Gujarat’s historic success in securing the Commonwealth Games 2030, India Global Forum (IGF), in partnership Government of Gujarat and the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), will convene the inaugural Commonwealth Connect Forum on Monday 23 February 2026 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, Ahmedabad.
The Forum is designed not as a ceremonial platform, but as a structured economic initiative – focused on converting global visibility into investment flows, trade corridors and institutional partnerships.
The Forum anchors a high-level West Midlands delegation visit to India (22–23 February 2026) led by Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands.
The delegation includes senior representatives across:
Advanced manufacturing and precision engineering
Sports infrastructure design and venue delivery
Urban regeneration and master planning
Clean energy and green mobility
Financial and professional services
University-led research and skills partnerships
Participating organisations and ecosystem representatives include firms connected to the Birmingham 2022 delivery programme, advanced engineering SMEs from the West Midlands supply chain, innovation clusters linked to automotive electrification, sports-tech operators, and financial services institutions active in cross-border capital flows.
The visit spans Ahmedabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru, structured around infrastructure delivery, capital mobilisation, AI and future skills, advanced manufacturing and financial market connectivity.
From Sporting Event to Economic Repositioning
Manoj Ladwa, Founder & Chairman, India Global Forum, said:
“This is not about hosting an event. It is about repositioning a state. When Ahmedabad hosts the Commonwealth Games, it is not simply building venues – it is recalibrating how global capital, investors and governments see Gujarat. Perception drives investment. Confidence drives capital.”
He added:
“The Commonwealth is not a historical club. It is a growth network – 56 countries, 2.7 billion people, over $13 trillion in combined GDP, with nearly 60% of its population under 30. In a fragmented global order, trusted networks are assets.
Commonwealth Connect is about activating that network — and ensuring Gujarat converts spotlight into structured economic advantage.”
Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner, Banchhanidhi Pani IAS said:
“Ahmedabad’s preparation for the Commonwealth Games 2030 is anchored in long-term urban transformation.
